It is a puzzle. So what's different between simulation and when things are actually connected? I understand that it runs fine when ACP and FMx are connected to simulators. The biggest puzzle is why you don't see anything when FMx fails to start.

In the 20161026_190553 log I see

01:05:54 (assuring that FocusMax is running now...)


It is at this point, at the beginning of every run, that ACP creates an instance of FocusMax and leaves it attached throughout the run. Are you saying that you never see FocusMax appear? And only when FocusMax and ACP are connected to real devices, not the simulators?

Also in that log I see an abrupt ending with no errors there

01:11:02 Imager sky position angle is 359.5 deg.
ACP console log closed 27-Oct-2016 01:11:03 UTC

and at this point you don't see any sort of error box, Bill Gates failure box, or anything appearing? Obviously no errors in the log. Since the "prime directive" is "do it right or raise an error" I'm stumped at the moment. Maybe you can fill in a puzzle piece from the above questions?